California Assembly Bill AB928

California 2021-2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/21
• Refer: 3/18/21
• Report Pass: 3/18/21
• Refer: 3/22/21
• Report Pass: 4/26/21
• Refer: 4/28/21
• Refer: 5/12/21
• Report Pass: 5/20/21
• Engrossed: 6/1/21
• Refer: 6/2/21
• Refer: 6/16/21
• Report Pass: 7/5/21
• Refer: 7/5/21
• Report Pass: 7/14/21
• Refer: 7/15/21
• Refer: 8/16/21
• Report Pass: 8/26/21
• Enrolled: 9/9/21
• Chaptered: 10/6/21
• Passed: 10/6/21

Caption

Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act of 2021: Associate Degree for Transfer Intersegmental Implementation Committee.

Impact

The bill mandates that community colleges place students on the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) pathway, provided it aligns with their intended major and they have not opted out. By requiring a unified lower division general education pathway for transfer admission, the legislation aims to maximize student success, reduce redundant coursework, and prevent excessive unit accumulation. This reform focuses on creating a cohesive system that benefits students by clarifying fulfillment of requirements and promoting timely completion of degree programs.

Summary

Assembly Bill 928, known as the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act of 2021, aims to improve the transfer process from California Community Colleges to four-year postsecondary institutions, specifically the University of California and California State University. The bill establishes the Associate Degree for Transfer Intersegmental Implementation Committee responsible for overseeing the transfer pathways to ensure that transfers are streamlined and efficient. It highlights a commitment to improve articulation between community colleges and four-year institutions, thereby facilitating easier transitions for students seeking higher education degrees.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding AB 928 is predominantly supportive among educational leaders and advocates for student success. There is an acknowledgment of the inefficiencies currently present in the transfer process and a collective desire to enhance educational outcomes. Stakeholders, including community colleges and four-year institutions, see this bill as a robust solution to address longstanding challenges faced by transfer students, fostering a more integrated and efficient educational framework.

Contention

Despite the overall support, there are some concerns regarding the potential implications of uniform policies on local control and how effectively community colleges can implement these changes by the set deadlines. Questions have been raised about the capacity of institutions to adapt their structures and curricula swiftly enough to facilitate these new pathways without compromising educational quality. Additionally, discussions around funding and resources necessary for effective implementation have emerged, indicating some level of contention about how these changes will be financially supported.